Parenting
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Why can’t babies have honey (even in baked goods)
Medically Reviewed Dr. Jennifer Peterson, board-certified pediatrician at Balance Pediatrics, Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Henry M. Peltier, board-certified pediatrician at Manning Family Children's Pediatrics in Thibodaux, LA
Written by Cradlewise Staff
As a new mom, you want to give your baby the best of everything—whether it’s the softest onesie, the safest crib, or the healthiest first foods. You’re reading labels, steaming veggies, maybe even blending your own purees, all in the name of helping your little one grow and thrive. And let’s be honest, it feels good to know we’re doing something nourishing and natural for them.
That’s why it’s so surprising (and a little confusing) to hear that something as seemingly harmless and healthy as honey is actually not safe for babies under one. It’s in so many of our go-to clean recipes, granola bars, muffins, and soothing teas. It feels like the kind of thing we should be able to give our little ones.
But here’s the thing: not every food that’s healthy for us is safe for babies. And honey tops that list for a pretty serious reason
Let’s talk about why honey should be completely off the menu during your baby’s first year, even if it’s baked into something.
Why can’t babies have honey?
In 2018, four infants in Texas were diagnosed with infant botulism, all linked to honey pacifiers purchased in Mexico. One baby became so weak that they had to be hospitalized and placed on a ventilator to help them breathe. Thankfully, the baby survived, but the incident served as a stark reminder of how dangerous even trace amounts of honey can be for infants.
Babies under 12 months should not be given honey because of the risk of infant botulism, a rare but serious illness that affects a baby’s nervous system.
Honey can contain spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. While harmless to older kids and adults, these spores can multiply in a baby’s immature digestive system and release a toxin that causes muscle weakness, constipation, poor feeding, and in severe cases, breathing problems.
Dr. Henry M. Peltier, a board-certified pediatrician at Manning Family Children’s Pediatrics in Thibodaux, LA, explains, “Honey is dangerous and not recommended for babies under twelve months of age. Why? Because it may contain Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria responsible for botulism. This bacterium forms a spore, a kind of protective shell, that makes it more resistant to immune responses, antibiotics, and even physical forces like heat or pasteurization.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC both strongly advise waiting until your baby turns one before introducing honey into their diet.
Infant botulism: What new parents need to know
Infant botulism is rare, but when it happens, it’s serious. According to the CDC, it most often affects babies between two and eight months old. The culprit? Spores of Clostridium botulinum that enter the baby’s digestive system and begin producing a powerful neurotoxin.
What makes infant botulism so dangerous is that it attacks the body from the inside out by interfering with how nerves communicate with muscles. The botulinum toxin acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that’s essential for muscle movement. This disruption causes progressive paralysis, often beginning in the face and moving downward through the body.
Early signs may be subtle, but parents might notice:
- Floppy limbs or poor head control (aka floppy baby syndrome)
- Difficulty feeding or weak sucking
- Constipation (sometimes the first symptom)
- Lethargy or reduced movement
- Weak cries
As the illness progresses, it can weaken the muscles needed for breathing or swallowing, which can lead to dangerous pauses in breathing, aspiration, or even pneumonia. In severe cases, babies may require hospitalization, intubation (a breathing tube), and round-the-clock care in the ICU.
“I’ve seen this firsthand in the ICU,” says Dr. Jennifer Peterson, a board-certified pediatrician at Balance Pediatrics, Phoenix, Arizona. “The weakness in babies often starts with poor head lifting or trouble moving their mouth. But some present with total body weakness or constipation. If they can’t breathe or swallow well, they’re at risk for serious complications.”
While honey is the most well-known source, botulism spores can also be found in soil and improperly canned foods, especially home-canned vegetables or fruits. That’s because the spores are heat-resistant and can survive typical cooking and preservation methods.
“ The weakness in babies often starts with poor head lifting or trouble moving their mouth. But some present with total body weakness or constipation. If they can’t breathe or swallow well, they’re at risk for serious complications.”
Botulism and honey: What’s the connection?
“A bacteria called Clostridium botulinum lives in normal dirt and soil,” explains Dr. Jennifer Peterson. “It stays with the bees as they make honey and can continue to live in the honey.”
While C. botulinum spores can also lurk in dirt, dust, or even on surfaces, honey is the only food that’s been consistently linked to infant botulism cases.
That’s why experts, including the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the CDC, repeatedly recommend avoiding honey for babies under 12 months, even in baked goods or tiny “tastes.”
The good news? Infant botulism is preventable. Steering clear of honey for the first year is a simple but powerful way to protect your baby’s health.
“ In addition to the worries over botulism, children are having more and more added to their foods, and ideally, they would not have foods with added sugar until they are two. While honey is natural and less refined, it is still an added sugar.”
When can babies have honey safely?
The safest time to introduce honey is after your baby turns one. By then, their digestive system is mature enough to handle the spores without producing harmful toxins.
Once your baby hits that first birthday milestone, go ahead and add a drizzle of honey to yogurt or oatmeal if you’d like. Until then, it’s best to hold off.
What’s happening in a baby’s gut microbiome and why it matters
Your baby’s digestive system isn’t just immature, it’s still under construction. In the first year of life, your little one’s gut microbiome is rapidly developing, forming a delicate balance of “good” bacteria that help support digestion and immunity.
Research shows that a baby’s gut doesn’t start resembling that of an adult until at least 12 months of age, making their digestive system more vulnerable to infection and illness in infancy.
But because this balance is still evolving, babies don’t yet have the robust gut flora needed to suppress harmful pathogens, like Clostridium botulinum.
“ Babies’ stomachs are more neutral in pH when they’re born. They don’t have the same acidic environment or bacterial defenses that older children and adults do. That makes it easier for spores to survive and multiply.”
Dr. Jennifer Peterson says, “Over time, their stomach juices steadily get more acidic, especially as they start to break down more and more foods after six months. So by about one year, that’s when we can say babies’ stomach juices are acidic enough to break down the botulism bacteria and spores.”
Can babies have honey in baked or cooked foods?
It’s a common misconception that honey becomes safe once it’s been cooked or baked. But the spores that cause infant botulism are highly heat-resistant; they can survive even high baking temperatures.
“ Because the spores are resistant to heat, even cooked honey such as in baked goods or processed cookies and crackers should be avoided.”
“The AAP and the CDC recommend avoiding all forms of honey until the age of one year; then introducing it in only small amounts. In particular, avoid pacifiers that may be coated or filled with honey.”
So even if a muffin recipe looks baby-friendly, always double-check the ingredients. If honey is on the list, it’s best to skip it until after your baby’s first birthday.
Baby-safe alternatives for honey for babies under one
Are you looking for ways to sweeten your baby’s meals naturally? Here are a few baby-safe alternatives:
- Mashed bananas
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Pureed dates (in small amounts)
- Breastmilk or formula to thin and sweeten cereals
- Steamed fruit like pears or peaches
These options will add natural sweetness to your baby’s food without the risks that come with honey.
Conclusion
While honey is a natural sweetener packed with benefits for older kids and adults, it’s not safe for babies under one, plain and simple. The risk of infant botulism is rare but serious, and entirely avoidable by keeping honey (even baked-in) off the menu for your little one’s first year.
Once your baby turns one, honey can slowly be added to their diet. Until then, safer alternatives will keep mealtime both sweet and secure.
FAQs
Q: Why can’t babies have honey before age one?
A: Babies under 12 months have immature digestive systems that can’t fight off certain bacteria. If honey contains Clostridium botulinum spores, those spores can grow in a baby’s gut and release toxins, leading to a serious illness called infant botulism.
Q: How is honey linked to infant botulism?
A: While the spores that cause botulism are found in soil and dust, honey is the only food that’s been directly linked to cases of infant botulism. That’s why it’s on every pediatric “do not feed” list for babies under 12 months.
Q: Are honey-flavored or honey-filled pacifiers safe?
A: No. Even small amounts of honey in pacifiers, teas, or herbal remedies can pose a risk. In fact, there have been real-world cases of infant botulism linked to honey pacifiers.
Q: What can I use instead of honey in baby foods?
A: For babies under one, try using mashed banana, date paste, or unsweetened applesauce to add natural sweetness to foods and baked goods.
Q: Can I give my baby a tiny taste of honey to help with a cough?
A: Even a small amount of honey isn’t safe for babies under one. For cough relief, stick to pediatrician-approved remedies like a humidifier or saline drops—honey can wait until after their first birthday.
Q: If I add honey to baked muffins or oatmeal, is that okay?
A: It’s a common misconception, but baking doesn’t make honey safe. The spores that cause botulism can survive typical cooking temperatures, so skip the honey in muffins, oatmeal, or any homemade treats for your baby.
Q: What about foods sweetened with honey from the store, like cereals or snacks?
A: If your baby is under 12 months, avoid any packaged foods that list honey as an ingredient, even if they’re marketed as “natural” or “healthy.” Always double-check the ingredient list.
Q: I gave my baby honey by accident—what should I do?
A: Try not to panic. Call your pediatrician and let them know what happened, how much honey was given, and when. They can help you watch for symptoms and decide if further action is needed.
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